Partnership's 2010 Annual Conference
On June 25, 2010 the Partnership held it's Annual Conference. The theme of the 2010 conference was "Collaborating for Prosperity". The keynote speakers were Secretary Greg Bialecki of the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development, and Secretary Jeff Mullan of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, who annouced the creation of the 495/MetroWest Development Compact. Click here for a detailed description of the Compact, which is intended to create a shared framework for developing state, regional, and local strategies for the growth, development, and land preservation in the 36 cities and towns within the study area.
The Ambassador Richard J. Egan Award was given to Alistair Rennie of IBM and the Donald R. Wheeler Award was given to Helen Lemoine of Leadership MetroWest. Click here for a copy of the 2010 Annual Report, highlighting a year of accomplishments by the Partnership.
Partnership in the News:
The Partnership’s Adam Ploetz recently wrote an article in the Worcester Business Journal on how the recently closed Westborough State Hospital property offers the opportunity to showcase the type of development Westborough, Northborough, and the entire 495/MetroWest region would like to promote. Click here for the full article.
Leaders for Regional Prosperity
The 495/MetroWest Partnership, through a unique public-private collaboration with businesses, municipalities, and other stakeholders, is the regional leader for creating an environment that prepares for and cultivates sustainable growth. We accomplish this by coordinating, educating, and advocating for solutions to regional constraints and limited natural resources.
Route 9 Resurfacing Project
On Monday, April 12, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) unveiled a new website, www.mass.gov/massdot/rt9resurface, devoted to keeping residents and area businesses informed about the progress of the $12.5 million federal stimulus American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) road project which is part of Governor Deval Patrick's Massachusetts Recovery Plan to secure the state's economic future.
As of July 13, 2010, the $12.5 million Route 9 reconstruction project is rolling along at a rapid pace with over $1 million dollars worth of work accomplished in just the last two week period. The federal stimulus ARRA-funded project team provides the latest information including weekly schedules on the project web page . Message Boards throughout the project area are updated daily to keep motorists informed.
The next few weeks will see the project move into a phase of raising roadway structures such as catch basins and utility covers in preparation for final roadway paving. This work will be done at night and there will be construction jack hammering sounds during the work.
The project is resurfacing 7.8 miles of Route 9 eastbound and westbound from Walnut Street in Natick to the Framingham/Southborough Line. The first stage of the project including the major roadway work will be completed by Nov 2010. The entire project including new guardrails and signs will be completed by June 2011.
For more details on the project read the Partnership's Memo and check the Route 9 site for regular updates on the project's schedule.
